Page 14 of Rebel

“Atlas, how the fuck are ya, man? Wait, is this your kid? Shit, with all that went on that day, I don’t think I ever saw your boys. Actually, didn’t see much besides this one next to me. Well shit, small world ain’t it, brother?”

In shock, I watch as the two grown men catch up on life that’s happened since Mickie was born. I’ve gone with Taz to her post-birth visit when she had an issue with her girlie garden. I stayed in the waiting room when she went in to see Dr. Giannopoulos, or as I’m getting to know him better as, my Greek god, Atlas. That thought stops me immediately. When the hell did I start thinking of him as mine? Before I can process any of this, I feel lips on my cheek and a hand on my waist. A very warm male hand on my hip that sends such an electrical jolt, I jump. I hear Taz and Konstantin chuckle and more tempting is the slight growl I hear coming from Atlas.

I’m so in trouble. As I stare at my bestie, knowing I’ll never get one ounce of help from her. She is grinning like the Cheshire cat.

EIGHT

‘ATLAS’

I’m so fuckin’ pissed off and want to punch something right now, but I can’t let it loose with all my boys here. Goddamn it, why can’t she stay away or, better yet, just drop dead. Never have I made that wish before but after what I just went through, it would be a blessing. Thank God my parents showed up, thanks to Stefanos. The kid might have some problems relating to people and other issues, but somehow he can sense when trouble or danger is near. He saved his brothers and his own life the last time they ever saw their disaster of a mother. She was drunk and high, wanting the boys to go with her to the store, if I remember the story straight. Kon told her straight out “no way” and Thanos just hung out with his older brother. Stefanos is my emotional one. He hates when people fight, but he knew he couldn’t get in a car with her in that condition so he called his papou, which is granddad in English.

That one little action by my middle son started the process of the breakup and dissolution of my marriage. He saw what she, to this day, refuses to see. When I got here, she and her drug-dealing boyfriend were already in security for causing a scene. I guess Mindy insisted that she was Konstantin’s mother and demanded to see him. The charge nurse knew our history andtold her take a seat, as Konstantin was having some tests done. She didn’t want to hear anything and started to actually bully her way in. That’s when Brenda, our charge nurse—who’s been a nurse for over thirty years—put Mindy in her place and called security. That’s when the drug dealer, Scott, tried to step up. In seconds it was over. As the security guards were leading the two to their office, Brenda walked over to Mindy and told her she’d never see any of my three boys as long as she was breathing and working at this hospital. Mindy shot back in public, with witnesses, that an easy fix was to make sure Brenda stopped breathing. When I arrived, Brenda was filling out a complaint that was going to land my ex-wife in jail, yet again. I don’t have any feelings either way, as long as she stays away from the boys.

When I walk into this entire fucking mess and I enter the guards’ office, Scott, the drug dealer, tries to get up and approach me, but Jamie, the guard, told him not to move, sit his ass down, and shut up. Mindy glares at me the entire time but doesn’t say a word until I turn to leave.

“Think you’re so almighty, don’t you, Atlas? Well, this isn’t over, and when the day comes that you realize the boys are lost to you forever, then you’ll remember how you’ve treated me over the years. You’re a one-hundred-percent Greek jagoff with a tiny dick. I should know, lived with that puny shit for years. Have you ever wondered why I left? Well, now you know.”

Laughing, I turn to face her but first give a look toward the guards, who hit a button. I’m going to be pushing her buttons, so here goes, she opened the door.

“Wait, Mindy, do you mean the ‘tiny dick’ that gagged you every time, or the ‘puny shit’ that you couldn’t take without K-Y Jelly? Come on, grow up. We tried and it didn’t work. Let it go, because I’m sure you’re so happy with Scott and his huge junk. Makes me wonder why you are even here. You have no rights over the boys, so take a minute and try to make the last two braincells work. You signed away your rights over two and a half years ago. Now I have to check on my son. Enjoy jail, both of you.”

I walk out to both of them screaming and cussing, until the one guard slams the door. Then it is muffled the farther I walk from that office. By the time I find the room my son is in and open the door, I’m shocked to see the crowd in there. Enforcer is going on for some reason about taking me down. Right, I know he runs with a badass one-percent club but, damn, I’m no bookworm. Then when he turns, I’m glad I didn’t take what I heard as negative because he greets me like an old friend. Behind him is his woman, Taz, and finally, on Konstantin’s bed, is my feisty woman.Well, what the fuck is that thought?I think before I push it down. I’m here first and foremost for my son. I make my way to the bed as Enforcer and two other women say they’ll be back and walk out the door, leaving just the four of us here. I lean over, giving Rebel a kiss on the cheek and a squeeze on her hip. When she jolts and Taz, along with Konstantin, laughs, I feel the pressure suddenly leave my body. I plop into the chair next to the bed and then do the twenty-something questions to my son. I’m so confused as to why his pump never alerted him. Thank God it turned out the way it did.

“Hey, where are Stefanos and Thanos? You did pick them up, right, Rebel?”

She looks at me for a moment then at Taz and back at me. I can see her friend is trying not to laugh out loud.

“Uh, duh, Atlas, yeah, I picked up your boys. I think Stefanos called your parents because they were waiting for us when we arrived. Nice people, by the way. They are in the lobby with the boys and said to tell you when it’s good to make their way up, let them know. Taz and I can go now that you are here.”

When Rebel goes to get up, Konstantin grabs her arm, keeping her next to him.

“Do you have to go, Rebel? Could you stay for a little bit longer? Taz, if you have to go, I totally get it with the kids and all. I appreciate you even coming to see me, though I know it was to see her.”

Taz looks at me on the bed, Konstantin still holding my arm, then to Atlas. When she smiles hugely, I know trouble is coming. Then she reaches in her pocket, pulling out a crystal.Oh, not now, come on, Raquel,I think to myself. She steps closer to the bed, pulling Konstantin’s other hand out, placing the stone in his hand. He’s looking at it, trying to figure out what it is. Taz fills him in, as usual.

“Konstantin, that is a clear crystal. They call this the ‘master crystal’ and it’s known to help with healing. Keep it on you at all times or if not on your person, in your presence. It might seem weird, but I truly believe in crystal healing. And I’m not just here for Rebel, I was worried about you too. Get used to it, you’re family now, kiddo, and have plenty more aunts and uncles. You’ve only met maybe one third of our club. Now, I’ll leave you three to be, and I’m going to find my ol’ man. Need to make sure he’s not getting into any trouble. I’ll be seeing you, Kon. Do you mind Kon?”

Looking to be in some kind of shock, Konstantin just shakes his head. Taz leans down and places a kiss on his cheek, which has him blushing. She places her hand on his cheek, giving it a squeeze, then turns and walks away.

When she’s gone, I’m still sitting behind Rebel so I lean in, putting my elbows on her thighs to get closer to my son.

“Son, you okay? I know today has sucked big time, but you’re okay and safe. Now talk to me.”

“Dad, why do you say today sucked? I don’t think so at all. Yeah, we gotta figure out why this stupid pump isn’t working right. Besides that, not including you, Papou, and Yia-yia, no one has ever gone the extra mile for me. If Rebel hadn’t shown upwith Heartbreaker, I think this would have ended a lot different. Not to mention all those women from the motorcycle club, who dropped everything to check on me. Well, me and Heartbreaker. I’m just overwhelmed with emotions, Dad, and don’t know how to process them.”

Then he bursts into tears. I go to move but Rebel stands and we literally come together. Placing her back on the bed, I sit directly in front of her, grabbing my son in my arms and rocking him slightly. Poor Kon, he’s overwhelmed and his body is trying to come back from his sugars being so low. To top it off, my son’s filled with unknown emotions that his tired, stressed-out brain won’t let him process them. Rebel leans into me, I’m guessing to give Kon a squeeze. I reach a hand behind my back and grab her calf. The three of us are connected when my son lifts his head and tells me, “Love you.”

I look into his eyes that look like I’m looking in a mirror and mouth back, “Love you too, Son.”

It’s late, everyone is beyond exhausted. The club’s cook had sent over boxes of food earlier for everyone and apologized for not being able to come up to visit. She included an entire sugar-free pie just for Rebel and the boys. That got Kon’s eyes sparkling and, swear to God, seeing him excited for a piece of pie has my heart shatter. Now it’s after visiting hours are over and my parents took Thanos and Stefanos home with them. Rebel’s club sisters have all left as well, and Heartbreaker was released just a bit ago to go home, from what Enforcer told me. Taz told us both that if we need anything to give her a call. Rebel told her some shit about calling a busy person. I could tell Rebel felt something when Enforcer was saying his goodbyes and told both Kon andme, when everything calms the fuck down, that we should get together for breakfast. Both of us agreed.

Now it’s like déjà vu as we finally say our goodbyes to Kon and I’m walking her out. The hospital is eerily quiet, but I know we’re safe. When I told Rebel what my ex-wife and drug-dealing boyfriend did, she called Tink and asked for a favor. So there are two guards outside of my son’s room. Not what I expected when I saw them, but along with Rebel, I say goodnight to Yoggie—who I find out is also a sheriff’s deputy—and Presley, the two men I recently met. I thank Rebel for reaching out to her prez and for the solution she came up with. The hug I give her takes both my breath and heart away.

Knowing she’s not paying attention until she looks up, we are not at her car but mine. I look down to her and lay it all out.

“Jumping the gun for sure but, fuck, Mya, I don’t want to be alone tonight. We don’t have to do anything, just want to keep you close. Just going to say, I don’t beg… ever, but tonight I will. Please come with me? The thought of getting home to it being empty, I’ll never sleep. Probably spend hours in the gym, then clean up and check on Kon, before I go to my parents’ to pick up the boys. Come on, Feisty, what is the worst thing that could happen?”

Knowing I had her at “I don’t beg” then I did just that. This woman is breaking down walls I never thought would come down, and with such little effort. I grin then nod, which brings a massive smile to her face. I can see how extremely exhausted she is, physically and emotionally. I could never imagine how much today affected her. I’m sure she’s had shit come up in the past, but not being a parent, I’m not sure she truly gets the uncontrollable fear. Though if I remember correctly, her bestie, Taz, and her boy, Teddy, along with another of the women in the club’s little girl had shit go down in the grocery store, so she’sbeen close to others who totally go manic when something goes wrong with their children.

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